28 September 2008

Twenty-nine weeks after I started Weight Watchers, I have lost 42 pounds. To see where I was when I began the journey - go here.

This photo was snapped today at a luncheon with my sorority sisters. The dress I am wearing is one I purchased several weeks ago for our upcoming cruise. It was a bit snug then, today it fit beautifully, if not a little loose in the bosom.

It's not been easy - there have been times that I've felt like giving up, but the idea that I can be a 'hot mama' (okay, forget the fact that I'm only a dog or cat mama) with a little more work keeps me going. My husband has been encouraging in his own way. Of course, even if I lose 100 pounds, I doubt that my bum will ever be small enough for him. I've accepted the fact that I'll never rid myself of my thunder thighs or ample bum. It might be smaller and firmer, but I'll always have curves.

I continue to go to the gym regularly. I've become quite a yoga-holic. I was taking a yoga class every Friday morning, but it was cancelled due to a lack of students. (There needs to be an average of 8 students over 8 weeks, and we were always just under. *sigh*) I chose that class because I really liked the instructor. I tried the Sunday 7:30 AM class again today. There was a new instructor from the last time I took it (in July) and I liked her quite a bit. I think that I'll be back in the groove of taking yoga on Sunday mornings again -- provided I'm not out until the wee hours on Saturday night.

I hoped to make it to 50 pounds lost by my birthday in two weeks but my gain last week threw a crimp in that plan. While I am only eight pounds from reaching that goal, I won't be upset if I don't make it by my 41st birthday. As long as I keep losing, that's fine with me. I just need to stay focused and work towards my ultimate goal - WW lifetime member.

Henry and Suki, along with two of our cats (Sadie and Lily) are MCSPCA alumnae. While many shelters wouldn't have given an older dog like Henry the time to find his forever home, the SPCA knew his family would come along eventually. Although our time together was short, I truly believe we gave Henry the best years of his life. He never wanted for anything and was one spoiled pup.

This year, I decided I was going to walk and raise money for the SPCA to give back to them for giving Henry (and many other animals) a chance to find happiness. There's not a day that goes by that I don't miss my dog. But I know that he spent the last years of his life with people who loved and cared about him instead of in a cage at the shelter.

If you feel so inclined, the link above will take you to my fundraising page. No amount is too small. Please help me help the many animals waiting, like Henry did, for their forever home.

14 September 2008

This morning, I weighed in and while I had an inkling it was going to be a good day, I was shocked to have the scale tell me I lost 5.2 pounds this week. Although I was doing Core Plan, I did fall off the wagon a bit this week -- Hershey's Candy Corn Kisses -- but I guess that fall wasn't too far.

Although I promised photos monthly to show off my weight loss, I haven't been too good at keeping to that. This shot was taken last Sunday in Belmar where we went to see what sort of surf TS Hanna was churning up. That's after 35 pounds lost, but it's close enough. If you don't remember what I looked like when I started, you can see pics here.

Last week I purchased some capris/shorts on clearance in a size 14 -- that's a misses 14, not a 14W (women's). I can already get them on and zipped up without sucking in the gut, but they're just a wee bit tight. I'm hoping that 5 more pounds will make them comfortable so i can wear them on the cruise. I've also got two pair of size 12 jeans that a friend sent me and hoping those will fit by the time the colder weather rolls around. It's about 4 weeks to my birthday, so I'm eying 50 lbs lost as a goal by then. I think it's doable.

On the subject of clothes, as I was purging my closet, I came across several items I'd ordered from Coldwater Creek in October 2006. I called them to ensure I could return them and I took the first batch back to the shop on Friday for a $113 credit on my Visa. Woo hoo. I've got a few more things to return to them so I'll probably get another $80 or so back. Sometimes it's worthwhile to clean out your closet afterall.

I'm off to a brunch with my sorority sisters this afternoon, but since I don't know what's on the menu (other than the Ambrosia I'm taking), I'm having a bit to eat here with Mark first. That way if there's nothing appropriate for me, I won't be hungry.

09 September 2008

I was a bit melancholy today as it's Henry's adoption day. Two years ago, that lovable pup joined our household. As he was a senior dog, I knew we didn't have forever, but I had hoped it was longer than we did.

I found myself moping around a bit today, thinking about how much I miss him when I received an email from Stacey of Three Red Trees. I had contacted her several weeks ago and asked if she would make me a custom sock dog -- a Henry. She accepted my challenge and today, she emailed me that Henry was done and ready to make his way to his forever home.

I'm pretty pleased with the photos she sent -- one of which I've posted here. What do you think? I can't wait to see my Henry sock dog in person. What a fabulous ending to a day that didn't start out so happy.

06 September 2008

I woke up to a cloud covered sky this morning. Took the dogs out to for a morning walk and was hit in the face by an oppressive humidity.

I am anxiously awaiting Hanna's arrival on the hopes that she'll blow through and bring some relief. We could use the rain -- both Mark and I remarked over dinner last night that we can't remember the last time it rained here. Our neighbor's grass is brown, but ours is still green (thanks to the sprinkler system).

I'm enjoying my last weekend of nothingness before the madness starts. After this weekend, I'm pretty much booked solid every weekend with an event either relating to Phi Mu, my friend Jenn's wedding, or football. Granted, going out for pizza at Pete & Elda's on Sunday to watch the football games isn't a hardship, but it really does infringe upon my 'free' time.

We leave for our cruise in a little over 2 months. We finally decided on what we'll do while in St Maarten and I've ordered Mark's tux. I still have several cocktail dresses hanging in my laundry room and need to decide which ones will be going on the ship with me. I bought the pictured lucite beads to make jewelry to go with one of them. Now to sit down and make my jewelry -- it might not be gemstones and gold, but it'll be much more my style and no one else will have anything like it.

I've gone back on the Flex Plan this week and I've struggled a bit. I'm not sure if weigh-in tomorrow will be a plus or a minus. I'm hoping for another loss as I'd really like to hit the 40 pounds lost mark, but if it doesn't happen tomorrow, then I'll just regroup and focus on hitting that target next week. It's just over a month away from my birthday and I'd like to get over that hump and be closer to 50 pounds lost -- which is my goal by the time we leave for the cruise.

It's past noon now and no rain yet - just lots of clouds. Guess I'll take the dogs for a spin around the block one more time. Better to take them out when it's dry -- wet dog smell isn't one of my favorite scents.

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Miscellaneous Quotes

You must do the things you think you cannot do.- Eleanor Roosevelt

Happiness cannot come from without. It must come from within. It is not what we see and touch or that which others do for us which makes us happy; it is that which we think and feel and do, first for the other fellow and then for ourselves.- Helen Keller